Town meeting scheduled for Monday in Benton

An informational letter sent to Benton residents last week has resulted in a flood of phone calls to city hall.

According to City Clerk Brook Craig, the letter outlined program details including an "opt out" for the city's electric municipal aggregation program.

"We've been flooded with calls," Craig said. "We just decided to let the guy in charge answer the questions."

The city will hold a town hall meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Monday, April 24 at Benton City Hall. Reg Ankrom will be on hand to answer questions about the aggregation program. Ankrom is a representative with SIMEC LLC, an energy consultant company widely used in North America.

According to the letter, the city's current aggregation program expires in June.

"After a thorough bid process, Homefield Energy was selected as the new supplier for contract term June 2017-June 2020," the letter reads.

Homefield Energy is an independent seller of power and energy. The company is certified as an alternative retail electricity supplier by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Craig said that the town hall meeting will allow citizens an opportunity to ask questions to better understand the program.

The town hall meeting will also mark a "first" for city communication.

"We will stream the meeting via Facebook live on the city of Benton Facebook page," said Rachel Gartner, public information coordinator for Benton. Gartner says the live stream will also allow those tuned in to participate and ask questions.

Using the social media platform will also allow citizens to watch the meeting at a later time.